MURANG’A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING.

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS.

MANAGEMENT FOR ENGINEERS EES 414

GROUP 7 ASSIGNMENT
GROUP MEMBERS
NAMES REG NO.
Ernest Githinji Njuguna EN201/0210/2019
Jeremiah Kelempu EN201/0221/2019
Eric Mberia EN201/0222/2019
Geofry Kipkogei EN201/0238/2019
Allan Murithi EN201/0224/2019
Shadrack Cheruiyot EN201/0233/2019
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED
CONSTRUCTION OF TUITION BLOCK
Introduction
In the recent past, there has been increased enrollment of students in Murang’a University due to
the government funding and formulation of university act of 2012 during the reign of former
president his Excellency mwai kibaki. This has posed pressure on the available lecture halls
hence the need to build a more spacious postmodern tuition block to accommodate more
students. In this regard, there rises a need to prepare an environmental impact and assessment to
screen the construction of the block.
Scope objectives and criteria of the EIA
The Kenya Government policy on all new project, programs or activities requires that an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out at the planning stages of the proposed
project to ensure that significant impacts on the environment are taken into consideration during
the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed development. The
scope of this full project, therefore, covered:
1. The baseline environmental conditions of the area
2. Description of the proposed project
3. Provisions of the relevant environmental laws
4. Identification and discuss of any adverse impacts to the environment anticipated from the
proposed project
5. Appropriate mitigation measures
6. Provision of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outline.
The overall objective of the project is to ensure that all environmental concerns are integrated in
all the development activities in order to contribute to the sustainable development. Specifically,
the objectives are:
i. To identify potential environmental impacts, both direct and in direct.
ii. To assess the significance of the impacts
iii. To propose preventive mitigating and compensative measures for the significant
negative impacts of the project on the environment
iv. To generate baseline data for monitoring and evaluation of how well the mitigating
measures are being implemented during the project cycle.
v. To present information on impact of alternative.
vi. To present the results of the EIA study that can guide informed decision making
vii. To prepare EMP for the proposed project and decommissioning plan.
 Terms of Reference (TORs)
The consultant conducted the project by incorporating but not limited to the following terms of
reference:
a) Location of the proposed project
b) A concise description of the national environmental legislative and regulatory
framework, baseline information and any other relevant information related to the
project.
c) The objectives of the project.
d) The technology, procedures and processes to be used, in the implementation of the
project.
e) The materials to be used in the construction of the project.
f) The products, by-products and waste to be generated by the project.
g) A description of the potentially affected environment.
h) The environmental effects of the project including the social and cultural effects and the
direct, indirect, cumulative, irreversible, short-term and long-term effects anticipated.
i) To recommend an efficient, environmentally sound and affordable waste water
management system.
j) Provide alternative technologies and processes available and reasons for preferring the
chosen technology and processes.
k) Analysis of alternatives including project site, design and technologies.
l) An environmental management plan proposing the measures for eliminating, minimizing
or mitigating adverse impacts on the environment, including the cost, timeframe and
responsibility to implement the measures.
m) . Provide an action plan for the prevention and management of the foreseeable accidents
and hazardous activities in the course of the project implementation.
n) Propose measures to prevent health hazards and to ensure a secure and habitable working
environment for the construction employees, neighbors and for the management in case
of emergencies.
o) An economic and social analysis of the project.
p) Such other matters as the Authority may require
Methodology
The methodology used in the study consisted of the following:
i. Environment screening, in which the project was identified as among those requiring
environmental impact assessment under schedule 2 of EMCA, 1999 Legal Notice No.
150 0f 2016
ii. A site reconnaissance and visual survey to determine the baseline information of the
project area
iii. Analysis of the project documents
iv. Discussion with the proponent and the entire Project Team
v. Assessment of the site to detail the various existing and likely impacts.
 vi. Assessment of health and safety issues
vii. Seeking public views through interviews, public meeting (baraza) and questionnaires.
viii. Proposal of mitigation measures to minimize any anticipated negative impacts.
ix. Preparation and submission of the EIA Study report
Project Description
The proposed development will comprise of seven floors with each consisting of four
lecture halls floor, six washrooms; two for males and two for females and other two
designed to cater for the needs of the disabled (wheel chair accessories). Lecture halls
and auxiliary facilities to be constructed in two blocks, that is, Block A and Block B. The
total plinth area will be 7300 square meters (SM) having a plot coverage and plot ratio of
33.58 per cent and 1.804 respectively.
Project alternatives
 No project alternative
Without the proposed development, the subject plot would remain in its current
underutilized state. Advantage associated with this are that there would be no negative
implications on the environment brought about by implementing the project. However,
the disadvantages of a no project alternative ‘outweigh the advantages.
These are;
i. The proponent would be at loss financially since they have already invested a lot
of resources in terms of professional and statutory fees.
ii. The statutory bodies and professionals’ firms engaged in the project would lose
out on potential revenue.
iii. The proponent would lose out on the opportunity to invest and increase his
income.
iv. Potential job opportunities would be missed.
v. The government would lose out on taxes and the opportunity to encourage
investment in the private sector.
vi. The value of land would remain underutilized.
vii. The student fraternity will lose out on an increase in standard lecture hall
facilities.

Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Possible impacts Mitigation measures
Noise pollution  Construction works will be carried out between 0800hrs to 1700 hrs.
 Provide and enforce use Personal Protective Equipment e.g. earmuffs
during construction.
 Provide comprehensive policies/ rules pertaining noise control for
residents as part of the Housing Agreement.
 Ensure quiet from 10pm to 8am in the apartments and outdoor/public
areas.
 Monitor noise levels as per NEMA & NCG guidelines.
Air pollution  Screening of the construction site to contain and arrest construction-
related dust.
  Dust suppression with water-sprays during the construction phase on
dusty areas.
 Exposed stockpiles of e.g., sand, will be covered and watered daily.
 Regular and prompt maintenance of construction machinery and
equipment. This minimizes generation of hazardous gases
soil erosion  Avoid unnecessary excavations and other soil disturbances that can
predispose it to the agents of erosion.
 Control over excavation works especially during rainy / wet conditions.
 Provide soil erosion control and conservation measures where
necessary e.g., covering excavated soil.
 Re-surface open areas on completion of construction and introduce
appropriate vegetation
Storm water  Construction of gabions on the lower part of the property.
 Rain water harvesting gutters will be installed to reduce the amount of
rainfall reaching the surface.
 Semi permeable materials will be used for construction of pavements.
 Comprehensive landscaping on the riparian reserve and open areas will
be done after completion of construction.
Solid waste  Proper disposal of construction waste in the contractor ‘s yard (off the
site).
 Covering of trucks when transporting building materials and waste.
 Use of an integrated solid waste management system; through a
hierarchy of options: source reduction, recycling, composting and
reuse.
 A private NEMA licensed company will be contracted to collect waste
from the development.
Liquid waste  A temporary portable toilet will be provided on site to be used by
construction workers.
 Regular inspection and monitoring of the Waste Water Treatment Plant
to avoid overfill and overflow.
 Conduct routine inspection and monitoring of the internal drains to
identify leakages and blockages.
 All waste pipes will have rodding eyes accessible from outside. i.e.,
free to every part of the system for inspection, cleaning and repair.
Increased water demand  To supplement water from the borehole during construction, the
contractor will use water bowsers and tankers from external sources.
 Installation of rain water harvesting gutters.
 Install water conserving taps.
 Encourage re-use of water where possible during construction and
operation phase
 Recycled water from the (WWTP) will be used for landscaping
activities.
 Positive impacts
i. Employment creation -The proposed project will create many jobs for both skilled and
semi-skilled workers. During the construction phase, the project will employ a large
workforce including; masons, plumbers, electricians among others, cooks among others.
For the operation phase, the project will employ a small work force including; cleaners,
security guards, caretakers among others.
ii. Provision of market for supply of building materials- During the construction phase, the
project will consume a lot of building materials sourced both locally and in other parts of
the region. This will have a positive impact towards the economic status of the supplies
and to the national economy through V.A.T rates for goods.
iii. Gains in the local economy- The economy of the neighborhood will receive a boost
especially during the construction phase due to the activities of the workers; buying food,
drink and commodities.

Recommendations
It is our recommendation that the proponent be granted EIA license to implement the
project. Major concerns should nevertheless be geared towards minimizing the
occurrence of impacts that would degrade the general environment. This will however be
overcome through close following and implementation of the outlined Environmental
Management and Monitoring Plans (EMPs); which have been strategically packaged
with key environmental sustainability elements, tailored toward enhancing the adoption
of Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM).
Conclusion
The analysis of the EIA study indicates that the proposed project has significant benefit
to the student learning. The analysis reveals that the benefits far outweigh the associated
costs and negative impacts. The benefits include increase in quality student learning
facilities, creation of employment opportunities, and increase utility of the land, creation
of employment opportunities especially during project implementation phase, increase in
government revenue and improvement of local standards of living. Nevertheless, the
project will come with some negative impacts such as increased pressure on existing
infrastructure, pollution (to Air, Water, soil) mostly during construction phase, increased
waste (solid and liquid) generation and flood risk at the northern part of the property